Gateshead Millennium Bridge

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian and cycle crossing over the River Tyne that links Newcastle upon Tyne with Gateshead, featuring a deck 126 meters long and 8 meters wide. The structure uses six hydraulic rams to tilt the entire assembly by up to 40 degrees, allowing vessels up to 25 meters tall to pass beneath.

The structure was lifted into place by the floating crane Asian Hercules II on November 20, 2000, and officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on May 7, 2002. In 2002, the bridge received the RIBA Stirling Prize for outstanding architecture.

The bridge design selection process involved local residents who participated in choosing from multiple submitted proposals for this architectural addition to the riverside landscape.

The tilting movement takes around four and a half minutes and happens regularly to let river traffic pass through. The crossing is open to pedestrians and cyclists and offers views toward both riverbanks.

The crossing serves as the access point for HMS Calliope, the home base of the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Example. At night, the entire structure is lit and reflects in the waters of the Tyne.

Location: Gateshead

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Inception: 2000

Official opening: September 17, 2001

Architectural style: high-tech architecture

Length: 126 m

Longest Span: 105 m

Width: 8 m

GPS coordinates: 54.96944,-1.59972

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:34